The photochemistry of α- and β-farnesenes

Abstract

The ultraviolet irradiation of α- and β-farnesene with and without photosensitizers is described, α-Farnesene simply undergoes cis-trans isomerization. The photosensitized irradiation of β-farnesene yielded a mixture of bicyclohexanes, whereas the direct irradiation of β- farnesene afforded the same bicyclohexanes plus a substituted cyclobutene and a compound which may be cis-β-bergamotene.